How to Improve Skin Health & Appearance

In this episode, I discuss skin health and appearance and why both are important indicators of the health status of your immune system, gut microbiome, and other organ systems. I explain why sunlight is essential for skin and hormone health and how excessive sunlight can accelerate skin aging and cause certain skin cancers. I discuss the different types of sunscreens (physical, chemical, and mineral-based) and potential health concerns of the chemicals found in some (but not all) sunscreens.I also discuss the importance of getting your skin (and not just moles) checked for pre-cancerous and cancer growths, the role of nutrition and lifestyle factors that improve skin health and appearance, and how to improve your skin by reducing local and systemic inflammation and supporting your microbiome. I explain what works to improve your skin's youthfulness and appearance, including reducing wrinkles, sagging, and pore size. I review the data on ingesting (or topically applied) collagen, vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and retinol, and what is known about the use of peptides (e.g., BPC-157, copper peptides) and red and far-red light phototherapies for improving skin health and appearance.I also discuss the causes of acne, rosacea, and psoriasis and explain nutritional, skin care, and prescription-based approaches to treating these common skin conditions.This episode ought to help everyone better understand the biology of the skin and help them make the best possible decisions for their skin health, care, and appearance according to age, goals, and current skin conditions.Access the full show notes, including referenced articles, books, people mentioned, and additional resources at hubermanlab.com.Andrew's New BookProtocols: An Operating Manual for the Human Body: https://protocolsbook.comThank you to our sponsorsAG1: https://drinkag1.com/hubermanJoovv: https://joovv.com/hubermanBetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman ROKA: https://roka.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Timestamps00:00:00 Skin Health00:02:59 Sponsors: Joovv, BetterHelp & ROKA 00:07:18 Skin Biology, Skin Layers00:12:40 Sun Exposure, UV Light & Skin Cancers; Sunscreen00:19:51 Aging, Sun Exposure, Skin Cancers, Physical Barriers00:27:24 Sunburn & Skin Cancers00:30:09 Sponsor: AG100:31:58 Vitamin D, Sun Exposure & Sunscreen00:36:50 Organic (Chemical) Sunscreen & Inorganic (Mineral-Based) Sunscreen00:49:20 Skin Cancers, Moles, Laser Resurfacing00:53:59 Sponsor: LMNT00:55:34 Sun Exposure, Melanoma & Life Expectancy01:03:13 Tool: Youthful Skin, Collagen & Vitamin C01:12:55 Peptides, BPC-157, Copper01:20:58 Tool: Niacinamide (Nicotinamide), Youthful Skin, Dark Spots, Hyaluronic Acid01:26:25 Tool: Retinol (Retin-A, Tretinoin, Retinyl Esters), Youthful Skin01:33:07 Tool: Phototherapy, Youthful Skin, Treating Skin Conditions01:41:10 Tool: Nutrition for Skin Health, Anti-Inflammatory Diets01:47:54 Highly Processed Foods, Advanced Glycation End Products & Skin Health01:52:08 Tools: Reduce Inflammation: Gut Microbiome, Sleep, Alcohol, Smoking, Stress01:58:58 Acne, Hormones & Insulin; Tool: Low Glycemic Diet, Dairy02:07:26 Tools: Face Cleansing & Acne; Scarring & Popping Pimples02:13:29 Tool: Treating Rosacea, Alcohol, Skin Care, Nutrition02:18:31 Stubborn Rosacea, Over Cleansing, Pulsed Dye Laser02:21:04 Psoriasis Treatment, Immune System & Prescriptions02:25:24 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network NewsletterDisclaimer

The Huberman Lab podcast is hosted by Andrew Huberman, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and tenured professor in the department of neurobiology, and by courtesy, psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford School of Medicine. The podcast discusses neuroscience and science-based tools, including how our brain and its connections with the organs of our body control our perceptions, our behaviors, and our health, as well as existing and emerging tools for measuring and changing how our nervous system works.
Huberman has made numerous significant contributions to the fields of brain development, brain function, and neural plasticity, which is the ability of our nervous system to rewire and learn new behaviors, skills, and cognitive functioning. He is a McKnight Foundation and Pew Foundation Fellow and was awarded the Cogan Award, given to the scientist making the most significant discoveries in the study of vision, in 2017.
Work from the Huberman Laboratory at Stanford School of Medicine has been published in top journals, including Nature, Science, and Cell, and has been featured in TIME, BBC, Scientific American, Discover, and other top media outlets.
In 2021, Dr. Huberman launched the Huberman Lab podcast. The podcast is frequently ranked in the top 10 of all podcasts globally and is often ranked #1 in the categories of Science, Education, and Health & Fitness.

• No. of episodes: 300
• Latest episode: 2025-05-12
• Health & Fitness Science Life Sciences

Where can you listen?